CPC Members Bound by Strict Rules, Must Waive Some Rights: China’s Discipline Watchdog

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be closely monitoring central organ officials. (Photo : www.news.xinhuanet.com)

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), China's top political watchdog, reminded that Communist Party of China (CPC) members are required to waive some of their rights as they are citizens with "special political missions" and are bound by strict rules.

According to analysts, the reminder published by CCDI on its website is a move stressing that Party disciplines are stricter than laws, the Global Times reported.

Political science and law professor Zhang Yaocan of the Central China Normal University told the Global Times that Party disciplines, compared to laws that do not regulate the lifestyle of ordinary citizens, impose a higher moral standard on CPC members.

The CCDI article further pointed out that Party members, especially officials, should also follow disciplines apart from observing the laws.

Additionally, the article pointed out that the country's governance starts with Party governance. "Party disciplines are stricter than laws, instead of being equal to laws. . . . The bottom line for ordinary citizens is laws and Party members is different," it stated.

Despite stricter requirements, experts claim that Party members are not deprived of freedom.

"For instance, although Party members are banned from making groundless comments on major national and Party policies, they are provided with sufficient channels within the Party to discuss the policies," law professor Jiang Mingan of Peking University said.